beale



(No Mqdel.) 4 'Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. M. A. BEAL'B.

TELEGRAPHY.

1\I0.'360,98'. Patented Apr. l2, 1887.

ATTORNEY (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

A. M. A. BEALE.

TELBGRAPHY.

Patented Apr. 12, 1887.

.USE

HTVENTOR 7n. a. M

glu/maw ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED'M. A. BEALE, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

TELEQRAPHY.

SPECIFICATION orming part of Letters Patent No. 360,987,dated April 12,1887.

Application tiled March 27,1886. Serial No. 196,833. (No model.)

uated by gravity, whereby, one mechanismv moving. out of time with and in advance of the other is automatically arrested until the latter overtakes it, when both begin a new movement or partial movement simultaneously, and whereby the synchronizing o f said mechanisms is caused to take vplace frequentl y 4in very brief intervals of time, and in the construction and arrangement of said mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general disposition of my new electrical synchronous mechanism. Fig. 2 is also a diagram showing the said mechanism as arranged at one end of a line conductor, and also iu combination therewith a telegraphic apparatus for signaling. Fig. 3 is a side view of the disk Af Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram of a rotary disk with four contactplates and eleven fixed fingers. Fig. 5 is a diagram of a rotary disk with eight contactplates and five fingers. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the same-with a greater number of contact-plates on the rotary disk, and also the general disposition of the actuating weight and gearing, the several devices being shown in side elevation. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the same thing as Fig. 6, but in plan. Fig. 8 shows each finger e e e", 85e., connected in branch circuit, with a key in each branch.

' 4Similarletters of reference indicate like arts. p In another application for Letters Patent tiled simultaneously herewith, Serial No. 196,750, I have fully described and claimed the telegraphic signaling apparatus and mechanism herein shown combined with my synchronizing mechanism. The4 said telegraphic apparatus as claimed in my said other application I herein disclaim.

The general principle of my synchronic system will be best understood from Fig. 1, which is a'skeleton diagram of the circuits and apparatus, not in anywise preserving relative proportions, but simply illustrative. At each end of the line are the wheels A and A. These wheels are rotated by the action of deseending weights. The problem is to make t-he wheel A rotate in exactly the same period of timeas the wheel A-thatis,synchronously.v I propose to use descending weights as the source of motive power, because, other things being equal, they will fall by attraction of gravitation lin equal times, in accordance with known laws. I do not actuate my mechanism by electromotors, nor by any action of electrieity, because, no matter how generated, the electric current is never uniform in strength, and therefore it is itself a disturbing element in any apparatus depending upon it for uniform mechanical motion.

The synchronizing mechanism is the same at each end of the line. The vdisk A issupposed to be rotatedby the descending weight W through any suitable mechanism. From the diskA is actuated the disk B, and for present purposes of explanation it is assumed that the disk B is so connected to disk A by positive gearing as that both disks necessarily rotate in the same period of time. On the disk A is a contact-plate, C, and on the disk B a contact-plate, D. Bearing against the periphery of disk A is a contact-finger, E, and ,bearing against the periphery of disk B is a Contact-finger, F. Inasmueh as the disks A yand B have the same period of revolution, it follows that when the finger E meets the plate C on disk A the finger .F will meet the plate D on disk B.

0n the shaft of disk B is an escapementpinion, G. Adapted to engage with this by the action of a coiled spring, J, is a catch, H, which forms the armature of an electro-magnet, I. The current from the battery proceeds to the shaft of disk A bybrushes or other convenient means, (not shown in Fig. 1,) and thence is conducted radially on said disk to the contact-plate C. \Vhen the finger E meets ICO this plate, the current proceeds to said finger l and thence to the electro-magnetl. From the magnet the current goes. to the shaft of disk B, thence radially on said disk to contact-plate D to finger F, and thence to the line. At the other end of theline the current traverses the similar apparatusin the reverse way-that is, it rst goes to finger F', to. contaetplate C', disk B', magnet I', finger E', disk A', and so to ground. Now, it will be evidentthat here are four `contact-points, two at cach end of the line, all of which must be closed before the current can ow--that is, the finger E must be on plate C, the finger F on plate D at one end of the line, and the finger E on the platel C' and the finger F on the plate D at the other end of the line; but in order that this may happen the contact-plates on all four disks, A A B B, must come opposite their respective contactfngers at the same moment; or, in other words, each disk must complete its revolution between the intervals of contact of fingers and plates in precisely t-he same period of time.v

I have already stated that the disks A and B at one end of the line will rotate exactly together, and necessarily so, because of posi- .-tive gearing between them'. So also of the disks A and'B, similarly arranged at the other end of the line. Suppose, now, that while the fingers E and F are off the plates C and' D a.

current goes to line by other means, not shown in Fig. 1, but which will be described farther on, and as the shoulder of the escapementwheel G is then clear of the catch H, the disk B and the disk A geared to it will be free to turn. Suppose, further, that when the contact-plates C and D come under the fingers E F, this other means goes out of operation, so that the only current that can go on the line at that time must go ,through the fingers E F and contact-plates C D, and thence, as already described, through the magnet I, and so to fingers F E and plates D Of to ground. Finally, assume that when the contact-plates vGand D come under the lingers E F, the conv tact-plates atA the other end of the line have not gotto their corresponding fingers, because thel disks A B' have from some cause been retarded,

and hence, are not moving synchronously with L hedisksAfand B. Clearly, then, there can be no current'jt'o the line, vthe magnet I will be deenergized, and the catch H will drop into the vss,

notch .or lagainst the shoulder of the escapement-wheel G and stop the revolutions of the disk B, and consequently of the disk A?. Meanwhile the weight at the opposite end of the line is rotating the disks there. Themornent the plates D and C" come under their fingers the circuit is completed through the magnet I, which removes the catch H from theescapement-wheel G and all four disks, A B A B', begin their new revolution simultaneously. In brief terms, then, the principle of arrangement is this: Two rotating disks, both actuated by gravity, are at electrically connnected stations. If one disk4 runs ahead of the other it waits for the other to catcliup, and then both start even again. In the illustrative dia- I gram, Fig. 1, I have shown this to occur once only during each revolution of the disks A A for the sake of simplicity; but it is not at all necessary that the wheels should make an entire revolution before this autolnatic regulation of one'by the other occurs, nor is it desirable, because the synchronizing should occur in practice much oftener. Therefore, in practice, I make it take place several times during each revolution. Inasmuch as the speed with which the disks are revolved has nothing at all to do with the making of this synchronizing apparatus, it will be at once apparent that even if my disks rotate at the comparatively slow speed of once per second, I can correct the position of one by the other it' need be thirty or forty times in that interval, and hence it becomes simply a question of the most desirable nu mber of times that the synchronizng shall take place in a given period of time to render not only the whole period of revolution of the two disks exactly alike, but to cause the said disks to move throughout that period at precisely the same rate. Of

nite number of synchronizing adjustments here, because this will depend necessarily greatly upon the particular construction, accuracy, but the point that I desire especially to emphasize is that I cause the twc wheel-disks-at .opposite ends of the line to adjust themselves each by the other at certain increments of their period of revolution, and that obviovsly by increasing the number of these increments I can cause more adjustments per revolution, and hence render the movement of the disks nearer and nearer to absolute unison.

Fig. 2 represents the apparatus arranged at one end of the line, as before, by diagram, but with more detail, and also shows the arrangement of the signaling aswell as the synchronizing circuit. Here, as in Fig. I, are shown the disk A and the disk B, the latter, howeverr being geared from the shaft of disk A, so as to 'revolve in the same period of time as does wheel A. On the periphery of the disk A are equidistantly spaced four pairs of contactplates, C c, C2 0*, C3 c, C* c. The plates of each pair are disposed at opposite edges of the periphery', as shown in Fig, 3. On the periphery of disk B are; four contact-plates; D Dz D8 D. In Fig. 1 the outer circle of the disk A represents the loweredge of the periphery and the inner circle the upper edge when the disk is. placed7 for example, in a horizontal position.

Rigidly secured in proximity to the disk A course itis not necessary to fix upon any detif l and uses of the instruments employed;

are two spring contact-fingers, E and e. 'The finger E is setslightly in advance o-f the finger r direction of the arrow l the inger E will meet the contact-plate C, for instance, before the finger e meets the contact-plate G, and so for each of the four pairs of contact-plates.

Near the periphery of disk B is secured a lc, so that when the disk A is revolved in the and so to the finger e.

4In proximity to opposite sidesof said shaft are secured brushes or spring contact plates M and N. One of' these'plates connects with the positive and the other with the negative-.pole

of the split battery by suitable wires.

Each -commutator plate is connected by wires Otto two of the contact-plates on the rim g of the disk A. Thus the plate'L connects `with the plate C andthe plate c, the plate L2 with the plate C3 and the plate c2, the plate L3 with the lplate C* and the plate c, and the plate L with the plate C? and the plate c3.

, 0n the disk B are wires P, whereby the contact-plates D D2 D3 D* are electrically connected together and to t-heelect-ro-magnet I. Said magnet is also connected by a wire, Q,to t-he finger E. The finger F is connected by a wire, R, to line, and the line connects with the key S and thence by the wire T to a relay, U, The battery is also, as shown, split and connected to earth.

. Supposing the parts to be in the positions represented, it will be evident that the negative current from the battery is-led to the commutatQr-plate L', and thence to the plates C and c,' but as no'circuit is established with these plates the current cannot flow. The positive current, however, passes to the commutator-plate L, with which the brusnM is in contact, and thence goes to theplates C* and c. With the plate o the iinger E is in contact, and hence the currentcan proceedto the wire. Q, magnet I, and wire P-upon the disk B. From the disk B the current can pass by way of the contact-plate D, which has met the finger F,upon said finger,and so to line. Now7 as has been explained with reference to Fig. 1,

if the corresponding mechanism at the other end of the line is in precisely the same position', then the current will be established. The magnet I will attract its armature H, whichl is-shown in engagement with the escapement-wheel G. The wheel G'being released, 'tlie weight W of Fig. 1 will be free to turn the disks A B, and the diskAwill begin its revolution in thedirection of the arrow l. As it does so the contact-platecwill move out of contact with the iinger E, and the contactplate C will move into contact with the finger Circuit will thus be broken from' the positive pole of the battery, but made from the negative pole, because it can now pass from brush N to commutator-plate L', thence to plate O, and so to the inger e. From the finger e the current dpasses by the wire T to the relay U, and thence to the operating- V key S,aud so to line, and if' the key is worked while this state ot' afiairs continues, then signals will be transmitted. Every time a pair of contact-plates comes round tothe fingers E and c this same thing` happens-that is, through the circuit made by finger E the synchronizing action takes place, as described,

and through the circuit subsequently made through linger Ve signals are sent. Consequently, witha disk, A, arranged as shown in Fig. 1, the synchronizing adjustment occurs four times at every revolution, and also four times during every revolution a signaling-circuit is established. As has al read y been stated, when the fingers E and e successively close circuit on the plates c and C, first a plus and then a minus current goes to line. Supposing, now, the disk to have rot-ated one-quarter revolution in the direction of the arrow Z, then the plate c will meet the iiugcr E; but the current to plate cs is negative, and as the last closing of the circuit through plate Gand finger e senta negative current to line, here would be two negative currents followingeach other, which ot' course is undesirable, as for rapid working the current should reverse at each succeeding contact. I can avoid this difficulty by adding another contact-finger, as e', placed in rear ofiinger E. Now, thcsuccession ofcoutacts from the position shown in the drawings, Fig. 1, and the direction of the respective cur` rents isas follows: Finger E is on contactplatec and receives a pluscurrent; then fingere meets plate C andv receives a minus current; then tnger e is met by plate c and receives therefrom a positive current. The last current going to line from this pair of plates C c is therefore positive. Supposing the disk 4turned forward in the direction of arrow Z onequartcr of a revolution, iingerE meets plate c, but to this plate a negative current is passing; then `finger e meets plate C3, which receives a positive current, and finger e in turn meets plat-e c3, which is negative,so that, in brief terms, I usefan odd number of contact-lingers, Ee e, and as the current alternates in ldirection it begins, for example, plus to E, minus to e, plus to c', and then minus to E, plus to e, minus toc', and so on. One of these contactfingers, E, controls the synchronizing-circuit, the others the signaling-circuit. It will be apparent that the number of fingers e e', Sac., is immaterial: I can use as many as I can find place for in the space included between two successive pairs of contact-plates on the disk; but there should be an odd number' of these fingers-that is, an even number of' fingers for the signaling-circuit and one linger `for the synchronizing-circuit. Thus asuecession ot' additional fingers, e" el", &c., for the signalingcircuit is represented in Fig. 2 by dottedl lines. ing-circuit fingers connected to the same wire in Fig. 2. In practice, however, each finger e, e', 85e., might be connected to its own wire,

relay, and key, as in Fig. 8, so that as many operators could send as there were fingers, the

I have shown all of' the signal.

IOO

signals for each key passing to line whenever the fingere belonging to that key made contact. The gearing of disk Ato Wheel B is such that, for example, when the plate c comes to the finger E the plate D on disk B comes to the finger F, and a shoulder on the escapenient-wheel arrives in a position to meet the latch-armature H if the latter be not attached by its magnet I. i

The number of contact-plates on the disk A and of signaling-fingers will depend on the following considerations:

First. Where it is desired to allow a large numberof operators to work simultaneously, then there must be, as stated, a corresponding number of signalingtingers c. Asall of these lingers must be placed between two successive pairs of contactplates on disk A, it follows that in order to alford space for the fingers the pairs of contactplates must be sufficiently separated. Thus in Fig. 3', if it is desired, for l example, toemploy ten operators, it may be necessary to use but four pairs of contactplates, C'to O, on the disk A,;because space equal to the length of a whole 'quadrant of the eircu m ference is necessary to accommodate the ingers. In such case it might be necessary to drive the wheel at'very high speed,

so as t'o insure a suicient frequency of circuitclosing for each ngere e', 81e.l

Second. If,however,a smaller number of'operators will suihce-say four-then on adisk of equal size a space equal to one-eighth of the circumference will be ample for the accommodation of all the fingers; hence, as inFig. 4, eight pairs of contact-plates, C to Cmay be employed. The speed of therevolutions of the ldisk may be but half as great to obtain the same number ot` circuit-closings -on each finger, and as at each passage of each pair of plates under the synchronizing finger the synchronizing adjustment is effected, it will be apparent that with such a wheel the synchronic regulation occurs at every eighth part of a revolution,iustead of but four times per revolution. Y

rlhird. Carrying out thisidea still furtl1er,l

Afind that probably in practice a length of oneeighth inch on the periphery of the disk A will measure that ot' each contact-plate C vc. Assuming this to be correct. for purposes of illustration, then Imay placein aspace of one and one-eighthinch eight signalingtingers and one synchronizing-finger. Therefore on a disk measuring nine inches in circumference I may have' eight pairs of contact plates, or on a disk measuring eighteen inches in circumference I may have sixteen pairs of contact-plates. At every revolution of this last-mentioned disk it would be synchronized sixteen times, and with each one of the eight signaling-lingers sixteen closings of the cir-- cuit would be made. It simply remains then to drivel this disk with ,great velpeity, which is easily done by gearing, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, which'I-are also' shown. Here the cordof the weight W winds l on the barrel 1, and on the shaft of this barrel;

is a cut gear which rotates arbor 2, arbor 2 ro- 7o tates arbor "3, and so on to arbor 7. The gearing between arbors 1 and 2 is such, .for example, that arbor 2 rotates four times as fast as arbor 1, and each succeeding arbor in' like proportion revolves more rapidly than the one preceding it. Now, suppose that arbor 1 is turned by the descending weight at the very slow rate of one revolution in thirty seconds, then in the same-period arbory 2 would make four turns, arborv 3 sixteen turns, arbor 4 8o sixty-four turns, arbor 5 two hundred andtfty-six turns, and arbor 6 a thousandA and twenty-four turns; but arbor 6v carriesthe' disk A,so that this wheel would therefore rol tate at the rate of thirty-four revolutions per second. At each revolution, as I have said, there are sixteen contacts, so that the vtotall d Y, number of closingsof circuits for each Signal` ing-finger would besix hundred and fifty-four per second, and the synchronizing current 90 would pass as many times in the sameinterval.

Of course in multiplying the pairs of'contact-plates on the disk A, it is also necessary to multiplythe commutator-plates L" on the shaft of said disk,so asto eiiect the reversal of` the currents, as already described. Sofalso, itis necessary to multiply the contact-"pointson disk B and the shoulders or notches onlthe l escapement-wheel G. This, however, is merely e a matter of mechanical detail.

1. The combination, at each .of two electrically-connected stations, of two rotating disks, means of actuating the same, and ci reuit-closi ng devices whereby each disk is canse'd to close circuit through its associate disk, a line, and the opposite pair of disks, when corresponding points on the.periphery of each of said four disks reachat the same moment given ixed points, the said fixed points being correspondingly located with reference to each disk, substantially as described.

2. The combination, at electrical] y-connected stations, of two independent rotary disks, means of actuating the same, means for arresting the motion of said disks, circuit-closing devices whereby each disk is caused to clo'se rio vcircuit through a main line and through the opposite disk at like periods or points of the revolutions of both disks, and an electro-magnet, the said magnet operating to neutralize the action of the means for arresting the motion of said disks when energized by the passage of the current, substantially as described.

3. The combination, substantially as set forth, in an electrical synchronous mechanism, of arotating disk having acircuit-closing plate on its periphery, a fixed finger adapted to make electrical contact with said plate, a second ro. tating disk positively actuated by said iirst disk, a circuit-closing plate on its periphery, a xed Iinger'adapted to make electrical contact with said plate, and a. means for arresting v a diagram. In vFig. 7 the fingers e are not simultaneouslythe motion of both of said disks' IOO at one or more points, substantially as described.

4. The combination of asource of electricity,

a rotating disk, a contact-plate carried by said 5 disk, a fixed linger adapted to make electrical contact with said plate, a second rotating disk,

a contact -plate carried by said disk, a iiXed finger adapted to make electrical contact with said plate, a means of actuating said disks con- 1o jonintlya mechanism for arresting the motion of said disks, containing an electro-magnet and an armature adapted to engage with a toothed Wheel on said second disk, and circuit-connections, substantially as described.

i 5 5. The combination of a source of electricity, a rotating disk, A, having on its periphery a contact-plate, C, a rotating disk, B, having on its periphery a contact-plate, D, xed fingers E and F, escapement-wheel G, electro-magnet zo I, latch-armature H, a means (such as a coiled spring) for retracting said armature, circuitconnections, and a means (such as a descending weight) for rotating said disks A and B conjointly, substantially as described.

25 6. The combination, with a line-conductor joining two stations and asource of electricity,

CII

of a rotating disk, A, a contact-plate, C, on the periphery of said disk, a rotating disk, B, a contact-plate, D, on the periphery of said disk, fixed lingers E and F, escapement-wheel G, electro-magnet I, latch-armature H, a spring for retracting said armature, circuit-connections, and a means of rotating said disks A and B conj ointly, the said parts being substantially as described and located at one of said stations, 3 5

ALFRED lll. A. REALE.

Witnesses: l

PARK BENJAMIN, EDGAR GOODWIN. 

